Frontier Group Project

The Fijian archipelago lies scattered lazily in the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, bathed in the radiant antipodean sunlight. Its towns and villages are veritable melting pots of cultural influences.

Fiji's shores are fringed with picture-perfect palm trees, and the azure waters that surround the islands are inhabited by an array of marine creatures; over 1,200 species of fish including clownfish, triggerfish, blue tangs, 10 species of shark, 12 species of whales, dolphins, turtles, anemones, soft coral and much more.

Enjoy sun drenched days and warm nights of delectable food cooked in a traditional underground oven. Fiji will enchant you with its chilled out "Fiji time" lifestyle, its heavenly beaches and surrounding mountains of rainforest– the perfect paradise location for your Frontier adventure!

This project is ideal for anyone with an interest in these endangered and misunderstood animals. Join us on our Fiji Shark Project, helping to determine the diversity and behaviour of these iconic, yet endangered species. Work with us on assessing the factors that are putting these species under threat, from overfishing, to pollution and habitat destruction. Help us assess the status and health of reef sharks in Fiji . The aim of this project is to increase understanding of their population dynamics and behaviour, both locally and internationally, to strengthen local and international protections for these species and to raise awareness among the local community regarding the importance of sharks.

Project Highlights

Survey sharks to help us learn more about their ecology and protect them

Swim in tropical waters with 1000's of fish from 100's of different species.

Live on a secluded island

The chance to interact with villagers and gain a cultural experience like no tourist can.

Dive at sites with spectacular coral

Swim in waters frequented by species of shark and get the chance to study their diversity and behaviour.

FAST FACTS

Location

The South Pacific Island of Beqa, Fiji

Activities

Learn how to Scuba dive
Dive with various species of shark in a safe environment
Study the diversity of local shark populations through underwater census techniques
Help raise awareness regarding the importance of sharks with local communities in Fiji.

Scuba diving

Dive with several species of shark in a safe environment

Study the diversity of local shark populations in Fiji

Working with local communities, raise awareness regarding the importance of sharks within Fiji

Dive and snorkel to study the various marine life living on coral reefs that are essential for healthy shark populations

Explore the mangrove forests& productive intertidal areas

Survey the diversity and behaviour of a range of marine life, with a focus on shark species

Study the impact of artisanal fishing on sharks and coral reefs

Determine the effects of global warming on marine communities

Transport

Free airport pickup and transfer to the island is provided for volunteers arriving on the first Monday of each month. For volunteers arriving on different days airport pickup, transfers to the island and accommodation for the first night can be arranged at a small additional cost.

Accommodation

Communal cast away style beach camp in the jungle, a few minuites walk from the bay

Free airport pickup and transfer to the island for volunteers arriving on the first Monday of each month. For those arriving on different dates optional airport pickup, transfers to the island and accommodation for the first night can be arranged at a small additional cost.

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?

Sharks are critical to the functioning of our ecosystems, regulating the natural balance in their role as top predators. Shark populations are under great threat from fishing, persecution, habitat destruction and climate change. The aim of the Frontier-Fiji Shark Conservation Project is to increase the understanding of shark populations around the island of Beqa, where data is known to be deficient, this information is vital for successful management strategies and shark conservation. We are determining the amount of species present, the abundance of those species, their behaviour and the structure of the populations. This information is vital in understanding the health of the local shark population and how at risk they are from certain human and environmental threats. In addition to scientific data collection Frontier is working with local communities to raise awareness regarding the importance of sharks and help them to make informed decisions regarding the management of their coastal ecosystems for the protection of sharks.

To achieve this mission, we conduct scientific surveys on reefs occupied by sharks, investigating their population assemblage in relation to the marine habitat to better understand their population dynamics, behaviour and to better protect the species locally and internationally. Once population levels are determined and we have identified the factors contributing to either a decline in or enhancement of shark numbers, this information can be fed back to marine experts to assist in successful management strategies and we can we can increase our work with local communities; building awareness of the value and vulnerability of local shark populations and working to increase protections.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

The marine research and conservation programme is run in association with The University of the South Pacific. The work aims to provide the local stakeholders, research organisations and government bodies with the information they need to design and implement management plans for the future protection of shark populations and their habitat around Beqa island and lagoon.

To gather the data needed you will be diving in areas known to be frequented by sharks and studying their diversity and behaviour (if necessary you will learn to dive first). You will explore the surrounding coral ecosystems to determine what factors are contributing to changes in the shark population, such as, availability of food, pollution levels and the health of the coral reefs. To do this you will record the diversity of many fish and marine invertebrate species, assess diversity and cover of coral species, alongside recording various environmental factors. The aim is to better understanding the population dynamics in the area and increasing protections of these endangered and poorly understood species. Frontiers scientific research techniques involve roaming survey dives and line intercept transects for assessment of fish, invertebrate species as well coral diversity. In addition to working with the local shark populations you will also get the chance to carry out surveys on many ecologically and commercially important species of fish and invertebrate, from colourful little nudibranchs to the exploited snappers and groupers, you will be part of surveys assessing the general health of marine habitats, all being of great importance to local shark populations. The type of field work underway will depend on the time of year and the content of the research program when you join up and how long you are joining for. With so much to learn it's worth noting that those joining for only a few weeks will be training most of the time and may not get to do a lot of surveying.

Whilst diving, you'll see an extraordinary array of animals in addition to several species of shark; from turtles to manta rays, sea cucumbers to feathery starfish, spiny urchins to octopus and jellyfish. When you motor out on the Frontier boats to distant dive sites you may even encounter rays, humpback whales or flying fish. By the end of your project you will be expert in identifying several species of shark and will have knowledge regarding their ecology and conservation. You will also be able to identify vast numbers of colourful and patterned reef fish, marine invertebrates and coral, as well as being an experienced and competent diver. Although the work is intense and challenging you'll get immense satisfaction from contributing to the conservation of these iconic, yet endangered species. You will return home with the new friends you've made and a wealth of fascinating stories and memories.

You'll find your team to be a fun, dynamic mix of ages and experiences, with members who all share a passion about sharks, saving endangered marine life and travelling in developing countries. Your staff will be young, friendly individuals who are experienced in their field and many have volunteered on a Frontier project earlier in their career.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?

An airport pick-up service is offered to volunteers arriving on the first Monday of the month only, whose flights land before 2:30pm local time. All other volunteers must make their own way to the project site. We will provide you with easy to follow instructions prior to your departure to enable you to plan your journey. If you are arriving into Fiji before the first Monday of the month but wish to travel to the project site with the main deployment group on the first Monday of the month, the overland arrival meeting point is at Nadi international airport arrivals hall. Please make sure that your intended arrival/travel plans have been arranged and confirmed with the project field staff a minimum of 1 week before your project start date.

If you are travelling to a marine project on Beqa island, you will only be able to travel to the island on the same day if your flight arrives before 9am on the Monday (due to limited boat timetables). However, you are more than welcome to spend one night with us at our homestay family in Suva, or you can choose to stay in Nadi or Suva for a night, in preparation for your journey to Beqa the next morning.

You will travel from the airport along the Coral Coast of the Island of Viti Levu to the town of Navua. Following this you will take a local boat for the one hour journey to the spectacular and famous south Pacific island of Beqa.

If you are an independent traveller arriving on any other date you are welcome to join the project on any Monday, (please discuss your intended arrival date and duration of stay with our travel advisers, especially if you need to book a dive training course, to confirm availability), and please be aware that you will need to organise your own transfer between Nadi and Suva and first night hostel accommodation in Suva at a cost of 34 EUR/$40. We will arrange for you to transfer from Suva to Beqa the following day at your own cost where our field team will be ready to welcome you to the Frontier house and camp. Again, you must confirm your exact arrival time/date with in country staff at least 1 week before arrival.

WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?

During the project you'll live in our simple but comfortable timber frame house on a cast away camp on the south Pacific island of Beqa. We aim to provide you with an authentic and memorable living experience. The Beqa house and camp has been constructed by local craftsmen, using traditional building techniques and locally sourced building materials. The camp is situated five minutes away from the shore through the rainforest. Camp life is very simple, unsophisticated and fun. You will be staying in communal house near to the local communities. Your "shower" consists of a pipe that runs into the house from the local stream and runs 24 hours a day. The camp has a western style bucket flush toilet and camp style gas hobs to cook on. Prepare for the basic, cast away, virtually footprint-less lifestyle! On occasions you may have to travel further from your beach camp to reach a distant dive site, and then you might stay in a “satellite camp”, usually a mosquito net pitched on a beach.

As well as the diving and marine conservation work you may be asked to help with the scientific data entry and will need to help with daily camp maintenance, taking turns to cook, tidy and clean the camp, rinse dive kit, and help with a wide variety of other important and essential camp duties.

FRONTIER CAMP LIFE

WHAT WILL I BE EATING?

Camp food is simple and nutritious and consists largely of rice, split peas, pancakes, flatbreads, , pasta and fruit, all of which are purchased in-country or made on camp in order to help support the local economy. Luxuries such as sweets, biscuits and drinking chocolate have to be brought over to the island from Suva, so make sure you stock up before heading to the camp! Part of your role on camp will be to help with the cooking, so get your cookbooks out now and start practising! Also, with luck you'll be invited to local feasts and festivals – a great way to integrate with the local communities in the nearby villages and absorb the fabulous and welcoming local culture.

Some local dishes to look forward to include taro, taro leaves, breadfruit, sweet potato, cassava, and cassava chips, coconut and fabulous shellfish and seafood. A delicious Fijian speciality is a lovo feast, which is a meal cooked in a hole in the ground – unusual but very tasty!

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Frontier-Fiji camp is fun and in your spare time and weekends off you'll have opportunities to swim and snorkel, play rugby against the unbeatable local side or even attend local church ceremonies. Alternatively you may enjoy a traditional cava session with the locals, play a wide variety of fun camp or card games from poker to bridge, chess or backgammon, or join in a camp quiz night. After a long hard day of diving you may prefer to relax and sit and chat to your new friends beside a roaring campfire, under a sky lit up by millions of stars.

For those of you with extra energy additional, higher level dive courses or speciality dives are available at competitive rates.

Dive courses run monthly commencing on the first Monday of the month on request

Single Day Snorkelling 14 EUR

Single Day Dive 40 EUR

Double Dive 68 EUR

4-dive package 135 EUR

10-dive package 270 EUR

courses*

Discover Scuba Diving 88 EUR

Open Water Dive Course 473 EUR

Advanced Open Water 446 EUR

Emergency First Response 176 EUR

Rescue Diver 473 EUR

Dive Master 1 013 EUR

*Medical certificate is mandatory for participation in dive courses.

Fun dives can also be provided at the extra cost of $35 per person per dive. Just ask staff in country and they will be happy to arrange it for you.

Modern conveniences

Suva

Banks / ATMs; ANZ bank, Westpac bank

Bars / cafes

Bureau de Change

Cinema

Dentist

Department store

Hospital

Internet cafe

Laundry services

Mobile phone shop

Pay phones

Pharmacy

Post office

Supermarkets

Traditional markets and cafes

Western style restaurants

Western Union

Navua - 40 min boat journey at own cost, 1 hour journey from Suva

Banks; ANZ bank, Westpac bank

Internet cafe

Market stalls

Media centre

Mobile phone shop

Pay phones

Restaurant

Supermarket

Western Union

COSTS

1 week
€
1 595

2 weeks
€
1 895

3 weeks
€
2 095

4 weeks
€
2 445

5 weeks
€
2 795

6 weeks
€
3 145

7 weeks
€
3 395

8 weeks
€
3 595

10 weeks
€
4 145

20 weeks
€
6 245

Extra Weeks
€
345

Christmas Week
€
345

PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water training 918 EUR,
PADI Advanced Open Water training 446 EUR
(at least PADI Advanced Open Water necessary for marine surveying)

DEPARTURE DATES

First and third Monday of the month.

Alternative dates available on request.

DURATION

You can join this project for a minimum of 1 week

CHRISTMAS OFFER

This project is available for the special price of 338 EUR per week over the Christmas period. Placements starting on the 24th or 31st of December 2018 are eligible for this price, subject to availability. Please apply using the orange button below and then tell your volunteer advisor that you wish to take part over Christmas.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

Nearest airport(s):
Nadi (NAN)

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Flights

Flights are not included in our project costs. However, Frontier have partnered with an experienced and professional team of travel experts to help our volunteers find the best flight deals for their trips with Frontier. This travel specialist operates in the tailor-made, long haul multi-stop travel market, arranging complex airfares and transfers for independent travellers. They provide expertise, security and a vast product range along with a Travel Butler service which is a single point of contact and support whilst you are overseas.

We recommend that you obtain a quote using the following contact details rather than book online, as our partner will offer you the most competitive fares. To receive your quote or to seek any advice for your flights, please contact Frontier’s dedicated team of travel experts on 0800 082 9994 (or +44 800 082 9994 outside the UK) or email frontier@flightcentre.co.uk
.

Visas

Depending on your destination country and your country of origin, you might require a visa. Please see the appropriate country consular website for details or contact our affiliate visa consultancy service. Please note that your visa will usually start on the date that you enter the destination country regardless of when it was issued. Please check with the relevant embassy or high commission. If you are purchasing your visa or paying entry/exit fees in-country you will probably need to pay in US Dollars. If you have any questions please consult the relevant embassy or high commission. Please check the visa information regularly, as changes often happen without warning.

Insurance

You'll need to buy appropriate travel insurance covering your participation on the
project. You won't be able to go without the right travel insurance so double check
to avoid disappointment. Please make sure that you're covered for the whole duration
of your trip – from the day you leave the UK to the day you return. It's also best
to get your travel insurance at the same time as paying the deposit for your project.
Depending on your policy, this will cover you for any unexpected cancellations.

Cancellation and curtailment of your trip (up to the value of your project contribution).

If you are going to be scuba diving you should get coverage for scuba diving up
to 30m, including hyperbaric therapy treatment (unlimited). You should consider
obtaining insurance to cover you for any additional activities which you plan to
do during, before, or after your Frontier project. We recommend that you obtain
cover for your baggage and personal effects.

LEGAL STATEMENT
Frontier Partner Projects and Frontier group projects are run in partnership with
in-country NGOs, small community based organisations, local research institutes,
academic organisations and conservation agencies. Project descriptions and information
are supplied directly by our partners or field staff and are accurate at time of
publishing.

We aim to keep information up to date and accurate, however, the nature of our projects
and in particular the fact that they are constantly evolving and developing in response
to changing needs means that project activities, travel schedules, tour itineraries
and daily timetables can change overnight and without notice.